What better way to prepare for a homemaking book launch than to make a new home. One week from today I’m inviting all of my Austin peeps over to help me celebrate the book release (which means we’re going to need some furniture soon).

I’ve probably had better ideas, alas, what is homekeeping if not managing under fire. Wish us luck in setting the place up for a big party over the next 7 days!

Here are some already inspiring things about our new house, as of day 12 of our residency.

1. It came with a perfectly-placed clothesline. I added the garden on day 4.

2. I can see trains passing by while I do dishes. I love trains. There are no nearby crossings, so no annoying horns.

3. Our neighbors directly behind us have a life-size cut-out of Elvis on their back porch sliding door.

4. For the first time in my life (outside of my parents’ house) I live somewhere with central air conditioning. [I feel like such a grown-up.]

5. We have a back deck all to ourselves and it came with nice hooks to hang my strawberries (I didn’t even need to pull out my S-hooks) and a trellis for my greedy cucumber growing bucket (these are vines number 4 and 5, in addition to 3 gherkins vines).

6. I finally got to hook this thing up (after 2.5 years of living without it in NYC).

7. We have a sun room/arts and crafts room. Until I figure out what fun chandelier and other projects I’m going to undertake with these fine bottles that J brought home from the recycling center, I’ll use them as window decor. I love how they kaleidoscope morning and afternoon sun in our otherwise brown room.

8. I finally have a spot to hang these, my pride and thrift-scavenging joy, my apron collection. Also, do you see my favourite teacup, the yellow one on the bottom row to the left? I can’t name 69 cents better spent.

As you can tell, Lower East Side Alfie (I got him from a shelter there) is not having a hard time adjusting to Austin life.

Have you checked in with my book tour page to see if there are events happening near you? I’d love to meet you!